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And yet this thread exists to discuss this and they haven't locked it down even though they clearly said so. It's not because you are here parroting it that people will stop discussing this.
So instead of harassing people that would like to see their products on Linux, move on with your life. Or keep doing what you're doing. Draw more attention to it. I can only thank you for that.
FOSDEM happened very recently and Alan Pope made a presentation about the snap format:
To everyone interested in the package format instead of harassing Linux users that love Affinity products I think it's an interesting video.

This was what Andy Sommerfield said:
You are not saying nothing that Andy didn't say before and not even understanding the purpose of this discussion. Yes, it won't likely increase the chances of seeing Affinity in Linux. But the purpose of the discussion is exactly to present the combination of distro/DE/platform where those costs that you talk about could be recouped. Understand?
While you guys may discuss the merits of providing support for Linux or not, I am simply pointing out the venues that would yield the highest chances of commercial success in Linux. I am aware that even so, it is highly doubtful that it would be enough to make it viable in Linux.
Currently, Linux represents 2% of Internet accessing desktops. That's 20% of all Macs. With the advertisement of a commercial software like Affinity I am certain that a sizeable portion of Linux users would show their (financial support) for Affinity, much like they did with the first PC games ported to Linux.
Nevertheless, if by providing this information, Serif at least decides to perform a market analysis to evaluate this possibility - or ask Canonical for more information/support - I'll be more than happy.

Because they probably think it is too risky and there's no guarantee of re-couping their investment. Anyway, I like this software and would like to see it in Linux.
I already provided as much info as possible on how this might be doable. However, I know it won't be done because that's been the official statement. I don't want to be involved in silly shouting matches with people that come here to harass users that would love to use their favourite software in their favourite OS.
If you don't like this, simply move on to other topics instead of harassing people that are discussing this topic in a contained topic.
All the best,
Rosmaninho

They don't need to make sure that it works no matter how the OS is configured. They just need to throw their hat and say: we support ONLY Ubuntu and use a snap format.
If anyone wants any support in other distros, having Affinity software in Snaps helps with that. Anyway, I don't believe there's interest from the company to release this software in Linux which is a pity. They're missing an opportunity of entering a market that is completely vacant since Photoshop ignores it.
If they're doubtful about supporting Linux they just have to contact Canonical or Red Hat and ask them for more information and even establishing a partnership to launch their apps and market them.

Dear Andy,
Since barely no one actually replied to the requirements that you asked for I will do my best to answer them:
1 - The obvious distro that you would have to target/develop for is Ubuntu. Ubuntu is Debian-based but there's plenty of other distros based on it. The most popular distros besides Ubuntu are usually based on Ubuntu (ex. Mint). So if you develop for Ubuntu, your software would automatically be compatible with the vast majority of Linux distros.
This brings other advantages because Ubuntu offers something that no other Linux distro does: predictability. Every two years there's a Long-Term-Support release. This LTS release is then installed in servers, end-user PCs, etc. It is THE base for two years for the majority of Linux distros and it offers stability. Also, the second most popular Linux distro - Linux Mint - is based on Ubuntu LTS releases and they don't change their base for those two years. Effectively, Ubuntu LTS releases are the core for most Linux users.
2 - With desktop topology, I assume you are mentioning Desktop Environment? Well, if so you are in luck. Canonical has discarded their Unity desktop environment and is again using the main-line Gnome desktop environment. Therefore, you should support the Gnome Desktop Environment.
This is the obvious choice since it is the base desktop environment of Ubuntu 18.04, but its development is heavily funded by Red Hat (now belongs to IBM). The only other alternative would be Plasma (based on Qt) but they are not supported by the two biggest open-source companies in the world (Canonical and Red Hat).
3 - Deployment (paid) platform where we would recoup our development costs. Someone else already mentioned this but you should definitely use the Snapcraft platform. Snaps are a package format which is a bundle of your app and dependencies that works without modification across Linux. Snaps are discoverable and installable from the Snap Store, an app store with an audience of millions. You can create snaps from apps you’ve already built and zipped, or your preferred programming language or framework (this includes C/c++, Java, Electron, Go, Rust, etc...).
The Snap package format is accessible by default in all Ubuntu installations starting from the Ubuntu 16.04 LTS, and directly available from the Ubuntu software store. Also, Snaps can be easily accessed even by non-Ubuntu based distros and you don't have to do anything to make it compatible to other distros since the dependencies required are bundled with the app, so no conflicts arise.
Also Snaps auto-update and work like app formats for other platforms (ex. .apks for Android).
Here's an infographic from Snaps
Canonical's Snap Store has apps - this includes paid proprietary apps - from major publishers. Examples include Plex Media Server, Windows Powershell (!), Visual Studio Code and Android Studio, Only Office, Slack, Mailspring, Spotify.
Proprietary graphics software is also being released as Snaps. This includes Polarr. As you can see their developers followed a strategy similar to what I outlined for you.
It also includes Gravit Designer.
Ofcourse, there'll be challenges and I cannot guarantee you that if you invest 500.000$ into this that you'll be able to recoup your investment. I don't know your financial health, nor your budget or 3-year business plan.
There's always a degree of risk in every investment. However, be aware that plenty of companies that launched their proprietary software in Linux thought it was a worthy investment. Namely, Valve launched Steam and they keep investing and improving the Linux graphics stack including OpenGL support, Vulkan support and D3D to Vulkan support. Many gaming companies still release numerous ports for Linux (the Total War strategy games from Creative Assembly, the Tomb Raider series, etc).
I cannot run your company but if you were truly interested, a solid strategy plan would have to be outlined. However, I am certain that if you approached Canonical they would support you on this endeavour since they would also be interested in having professional proprietary software in their Snap store. They would probably collaborate in marketing your software and spread awareness about Affinity in social media and websites with enormous following like OMGUbuntu! would advertise Affinity software endlessly. If you consider this investment not only as a product launch but as integrating your marketing strategy then it would probably justify the investment.
Hopefully my reply is enough to convince that this might be a worthy endeavour.
Pedro Rosmaninho